the three branches of government

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

Last week, we learned about the philosophical principles that influenced the founding fathers and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution. This week we will dig deeper into the roles and responsibilities of the President and the Congress.   

The founding fathers divided our system of government into three distinct branches. What are these branches and how did the founding fathers justify each branch of government as necessary for a healthy Republic? Do you think that the founding fathers reflected on the notion of gridlock as they explored the checks and balances built into the three branches? How does this relate to rules and norms that are designed to safeguard the minority from the will of the majority? Is this something that the founding fathers were concerned with as they negotiated our founding principles? Why or why not?